A moment with Apo

Music is part of everyone’s life. There will always be a song that sings what a person is feeling be it love, heartache, laughter, sadness and all other emotions a human heart can take. Some songs just have a nice melody to it and sticks into ones soul and stays there forever. For us Filipinos, this is particularly true for songs of the Apo Hiking Society. The members of this talented group is Boboy Garovillo, Danny Javier and Jim Paredes. I would like to call them the "Filipino" Beatles because all of their songs have become hits and everybody knows them because of the melody and message they convey even if it was written a couple of decades ago. A Filipino classic, so to speak. It’s like an ember of fire that stays in the subconcious of the Filipino psyche and it just needs a string of few notes from their songs to be played and the fire is all aglow again.

with the Apo Hiking Society
Originally uploaded by karampot.

When my aunt told me that we were going to the concert of the Apo, I was pretty curious cause it happened to me quite a number of times that I would not know the artist except from the radio. Then I watch them on a live concert and they become larger than life! No comparison on their voices on the tape or CD. One realizes why these people are so popular because of their personality and their talent. I wondered if the concert the Apo has the same energy of Gary V. or the kilig-factor of the Side-A band.

In the end, I would go for the feel-good reminiscing in memory-lane of my childhood. Their voices mixing well together to come up with this “suave” sound that is really soothing and pacifying. Then of course when they start up with their funny songs, everybody was rolling on the floor laughing. The theater was pretty unusual because the seats were three-levels, like balcony, loge and super loge (?!?! Meron ba non?!?). The Apo called it, impiyerno (hell), lupa (earth) and langit (heaven). Knowing the humor of the three, they gave impiyerno to Bubuy (he was the assigned “Underdog”), Jim had langit and ofcourse Danny had lupa because he was a self-acclaimed “makamundo” na tao. The act was of course peppered with green jokes but that’s typical of Pinoy right?!? Like their spiel "To the APO Virgins who saw us for the 1st time, we hope you enjoyed losing it!". How green can you get?!? They showed their “Worse of Apo” act and it was really hilarious! Imagine somebody singing with gestures and all, then suddenly the record breaks or jumps and their gestures follow the breaks and jumps. Can you imagine it? I know its kinda difficult so just watch them nalang next time their in your side of the earth.

Aidan and Jim
Originally uploaded by karampot.

The texture of the show was very Pinoy so for some foreigners watching, it was kind of puzzling for them to watch everybody responding to the joke and they are left there wondering. But what the heck! It’s not everyday that Filipinos in foreign countries are allowed to wallow in the humor and stories of back home and simply feel this is who we really are. It was refreshing and gratifying. I just love the feeling of belting out their songs, singing with them as they sing… “Mahal kita, mahal kita, hindi to bola. Sumagot ka man lang sana wag lang... ewan…”.

But the treat would not end there. The next day, we were able to meet them at a Pinoy restaurant for lunch and interact with them personally. I must admit I was still starstruck because Apo is a legend in the Philippines and to finally meet them was an awesome experience. Plus the fact that we were exchanging stories like anybody made it extra special. The fact that they were holding Aidan in their arms and laughing at his antics made my heart very proud and was overwhelmed with pleasure.

Aidan and Danny
Originally uploaded by karampot.

What's more, you see my bestfriend Silja, a german whom I met in Geneva, was the only foreigner that I was able to teach a Pinoy song. Once we were browsing a Jingle songbook and came accross the song "Ewan". As the melody was easy, she could still sing the chorus line I mentioned above up to this day. Who would have thought that one day, I'd have the opportunity to present her to the original artists who sang it? Lucky break huh! Like me, she was also starstruck and funny enough, they took fancy of her and Danny was teasing her that from the look of her (blond with green eyes), she was a true Manilena. She gamely answered "Of course!" and he continued saying she comes from "Tondo" and everyone was laughing good-naturedly.

Mang Boboy was a bit tired and we were not able actually exchange stories with him but Mang Danny and Mang Jim continued to take the time to carry Aidan around and take pictures with him not only for our camera but for their own. We exchanged stories a bit like the fact that I’ve been reading about Mang Jim through Ate Sienna’s web-pansitan. About seeing his grandchild on the web with his wife Aling Lydia who was also with him. About the travels of Mang Danny and how he has a band in Davao. The best spots in the Philippines. How they know everybody in the business. But of course! Pioneers yata sila!

Aidan and Bubuy
Originally uploaded by karampot.

Before we know it, the event was at its end and they must leave. Slowly we say goodbye to them and thank them for the autograph, their time and most specially their humor. We were grateful that for a brief moment, we were touched by legends…